Sandpiper Sailing 2017

February 15, 2017

Sandpiper Sailing and Bill’s Grille for Lunch

Saturday, February 11, 2017

By Bob Stevens, Race Committee

 

Wow, just a PERFECT morning on Pine Island Sound for Sandpipers. A morning sailing and lunch at Bill’s Grille. With 11 boats on the course the starts were a slugfest, but the first race got off with everyone ok. Kitty Kat, sailed well by Gary Fretz, with Nic as crew finished in first place, followed by Buttercup out with Charlie Chapin at the helm and Bill Cox as his able crew. The third finisher, but inches from Buttercup, was Purrfect, sailed by Bill Welch and Sherry. The second race, over the same course but even longer because of the lighter wind, was won by Purrfect with Buttercup in second place. Ragtime, very well sailed by Tony Colgan, with Kurt Stocker as crew, finished in third place.

I moved the windward mark for the last race and shortened the course quite a bit. The sailors were getting hungry, and several left for Bill’s Grill. Five boats remained. Coot won the race, handily with Kim Lockhart as Ed King’s crew. Spirit skippered by Paul Beisswenger with Joe Cox along as his crew finished second. The third boat was Little 7 Up with Ray George at the helm and Jim Doherty as crew.

Others sailing Saturday were: Amrita with Mike Albert at the helm and Dan O’Connell as crew; Dragonfly with Rich and Lorraine McGinn aboard; Patty P sailed by Paul and Shane Swigert; and Flying Cloud with Frank Greer as skipper and Stephanie Solien as his able crew. Aboard the Mark Boat were the Sheldons in Wahoo Wah. Great help as usual - it would not be the same without them.

Steve Kaufman and his fact checker Alan Symonds were out on Little Blue Chip to “call the race” for those ashore. Aboard Snooper were Ginny Amsler taking about 1000 pictures in a picture perfect morning, Kathleen Stocker as the scribe, and Sydney as my timer. I simply cannot do what needs to get done without them. My thanks. Bill’s Grille was another delight. The McGinns sailed in the first race and then retired to come in a cook for all of us. Aimee Lockhart, Kim Cox and Kay Chapin put the lunch together.

All and all, another wonderful morning on Pine Island Sound.